The Farmers Club Newsletter

The “Club Notes” for Thursday, the 29th of February, 2024.

By Dwain Duxson

1 sleep to go

Our FarmTender2024 - Entrepreneurs in Farming event is not far away. Click here for more info. See the media release here. Read some of the questions we are going to ask: Danny Thomas, Rob Dawes, Claire Booth, Andrew Weidemann, David Jochinke, John Gladigau, Hayley Grosser, Cassidy Johnston, Jeff McDonald, Broden Holland and Sam Van Assche.

What's next

Who would have thought 25 years ago that the subject of so-called Climate Change would divide our nation into believers and non-believers? Why has it become a massive subject? And who would have thought that policies surrounding this push towards renewable Energy would have the potential to impact Agriculture? I mean, back 20-odd years ago, all we heard about was a tiny hole in the ozone layer. So it got me thinking as to what is something that could have a massive effect on our Farming future that we haven't even thought about yet. It might be something super positive when all our non-Farming friends realise that we are not evil and do provide them the essentials they very much need. Like what Covid did, it hit us from nowhere, and nobody knew how to act or how they would be affected. Do you have a theory on something we might face in the future that we haven't really thought of yet? Reply to [email protected]

Has data killed the Sheep Classer?

I remember the days when Sheep Classers were Rural celebrities. These Whisky-swilling, red wine-drinking people were highly sought after and used to Property hop around the nation in charge of how the Merino Breed was shaped. It was very much a visual thing back then with no data, except perhaps for a bit of pedigree at the top end. They spent many a hot day in the Yards sorting through Sheep and culling any inferiors and then matchmaking all the stud sires to the appropriate Ewes. It was a very serious and respected occupation. Today, the classing of commercial flocks is usually left to the Ram Seller or maybe the Agent and in some cases, the Farmer does it themselves. Data has definitely changed the way Farmers select their genetics, and it wouldn't be wholly responsible for the death of the Sheep Classer. It's just one of those occupations that have slowly fallen off the radar. Can you remember a Sheep Classer coming to your place? Reply to [email protected]

Going nowhere

Have you ever devoted yourself to something that is going nowhere? I mean, you started something with all the great intentions, invested your time and effort and, more likely, a few dollars, only to realise in time that it's not that viable. When you go driving in the Rural areas, there are skeletons of these things everywhere. You see derelict Hot Houses and some high fences where they might have been running Emus, Ostriches or Deer. Some got right into Alpacas or Angora Goats. Saltbush was going to drought-proof the nations until we realised it bared out the country too much. Hobbyists tried their hand at Wine Grapes, and Olives. I am sure many of us have tried a side hustle or two on the Farm only to discover it's not that lucrative, and I'm not that interested anyway. There are a myriad of things that we have started with all the greatest of intentions only to wind them up. I have done too numerous to name. What have you started that never went anywhere? "Reply to [email protected]

Your replies

Below are snippets from some of the replies you sent in. All quotes will remain nameless. See a few current ones below:

• “All the best with fighting for a fair deal for Farmers because this could be a big issue made by people that only theorise Farming” - This quote is from a Farmer who is worried alot of the decisions we make will be taken out of hand by people that think they know better but have not Farming experience what-so-ever.

• “Great article by Andrew on the cost of holding Grain - I hold the same opinion that it’s not worth doing most years, but have plenty of clients who do it all the time due to a “pre-set” that it’s worth it! I have often questioned the cost - great to see the stats that say it’s not worth it! Three things to add: 1) It’s not just the direct cost of holding it (storage costs, double handling, interest, etc); it’s the opportunity cost of using the funds elsewhere. 2) Farmers are good at growing it, but that doesn’t automatically mean they’re good at Grain marketing. 3) Most of my clients end up selling when the bookkeeper says they’re out of money! Removes all strategy from it” - This is in reply to our Farm Tender Daily article on holding onto Grain. You can read it here.

• “I think reverse angle parking is great [with bays marked] because you can see oncoming traffic as you pull out”. - In reply to our Note on how some Towns in NSW and Qld have reverse parking in the main streets.

• “I mentioned the seaweed to a well-known nutritionist the other day, and he came back to me with his angle that it was basically full of poison. A poison that is banned in the Dairy industry because it is a carcinogen (Bromoform), and here they are pushing it for Beef because of the hype and panic around methane”. - In reply to our Note on using seaweed as Cattle Feed.

• “DelayPay is how I manage the 'money-go-round'. I just love it”. - In reply to our note about how we manage the ins and outs of money on the Farm. This lady uses our very own DelayPay.

• “Agents and old timers swear by Shearing Lambs to make them grow faster. Yet 6 out of 7 MLA studies show little to no difference in growth rates. Sure, other things happen, like avoiding grass seed contamination, reducing the risk of body strike, or they look prettier in the sale yards”. - In reply to our article on assuming things when sometimes they actually might not be.

• “I have wondered if it is easier to load your boot that way. That’s the only thing I could come up with. Either that or you are not reversing into traffic, you are reversing into the car park. I hope we get to the bottom of this one – it has also intrigued me for a long time too”. Someone who has also grappled with the backing in theory.

• “Hi Dwain, yes we still back in to park in the main streets in Narromine and yes you do hold up the traffic for a short while, but if you’re trying to access the boot of your car or tray of Ute, it’s a lot safer. Dubbo has nose-in parking and good to roar straight into a vacant spot but treacherous backing out into traffic, especially if you’ve parked next to a van or wagon”. - Someone who’s an advocate of backing in.

• “We do have some very handy government concessions to facilitate lifetime transfers of Farming Land, whilst retaining control of the titles if the parents so wish”. - Someone who specialises in succession planning for Farmers and suggested there is funding and concessions to help you through the process.

End of message.

Dwain Duxson
0427 011 900

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